my cable bill is always the same amount and i always pay by phone. I haven't missed a payment.

this past bill stated that i owed more than double what i usually pay. When i looked closer at the bill, the last payment for the previous month was listed as more than i paid AND there was still a balance due.

it also stated that there was a $42 payment made that was then reversed

i called and tried to get some help

the representative that i spoke to told me that their records show that last month i did indeed pay my bill ($18.03) which left a balance of $0

and then the records show that i called back and made another payment of $42.00 which i then reversed.....leaving me with a balance owed

as i asked the guy.....why would i call back and pay MORE money after i paid my bill earlier that day and the balance was $0 and WHAT could i possibly have done to owe $42.00 since they have a recordthat i paid my balance every month

he couldn't explain it either....so he just corrected the mistake and made my balance $0 again

however, i'm wondering....

my cable co has just switched over from adelphia to comcast

when i call, i have to give my phone # and zipcode....then the last four digits of the account holders social security number

i'm wondering if the account could have been mixed up with my H and OW at his new house

my cable IS still in his name with OUR old phone number....also in my H name...so i have to give his social security #

even though our addresses and zip codes are different, i'm wondering if the accounts have somehow gotten crossed

does this seem possible? i've had no problems before and the comapny just switched...maybe this is the company he has had since he bought his house

If so, i'm thinking that maybe my H or the OW caleed and made a payment then realized it was the wrong account and reversed the payment...

I'm not sure about the mix-up (those companies have LOTS of people to deal with) but I would consider putting this account in your name solely. I think in a weird way, it might even make you feel better. Independence--even in something as small as a cable bill-is somewhat of a confidence booster.

I have worked for a cable company for many years. Not Comcast, but all of the larger companies have similar billing systems. There are several ways to look up a customer's account:

1. Account Number
2. Name
3. Address
4. Phone number

The zip code and ss # are for security purposes.

I have a few ideas of what may have happened:

The extra charges on your bill may be because of the change in companies. Cable companies charge a month in advance. If your billing cycle changed, it may have charged you for 2 months. Cable companies have the worst billing system!!!!

As for the payment of $42.00 - it could have been your WH if he called in to make a payment and they pulled up his account by name and grabbed the wrong account. However, it could have been many other customers, too. Your account could have been pulled up by mistake for a dozen different reasons. I'm surprised, though, the agent didn't have more info. We are monitored closely and must note the account in details including the name of who we spoke to and any mistakes made on the account. Possibly, he was unable to give you much info since you are not authorized on the account.

It is very important that you get the bill changed to your name or it can come back to haunt you. If you decide to move and need the cable disconnected, they may refuse because you are not the responsible party on the account. At my company, you need to go to a local office to show id and sign for the name change.

Hope this helps!

Tatertot

thanks tatertot

after going into plan B. i tried to get my phone account changed to my name.....or even just to add my name...but the company wouldn't do either without a request from my h

so i told them to shut off the phone and then i would open a new account in my name

they wouldn't do that either....without my H's request

i got lucky and was able to speak with someone who helped me to get this done

but it sure wasn't easy......and i doubt that the person should have done it for me (according to company policies)

do most cable companies have the same policies? Because i am NOT contacting my H....i'd rather wait until i move....that could be a year or so

i'll deal with it then